{"id":2519,"date":"2015-10-21T08:12:00","date_gmt":"2015-10-21T08:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/2015\/10\/21\/saturday-october-31-2015-vintages-release-report\/"},"modified":"2026-03-13T03:55:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T03:55:54","slug":"saturday-october-31-2015-vintages-release-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/2015\/10\/21\/saturday-october-31-2015-vintages-release-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Saturday October 31, 2015 – Vintages Release Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

Key to the 5-star rating system:<\/strong><\/em>
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good<\/em><\/p>\n

Wine colour indicators – Red<\/span>, Whites<\/span>, etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Foci …<\/strong> Super Tuscany (ST<\/strong>) and Chilean High Achievers (CHA<\/strong>)
The Skinny …<\/strong> There are some really good wines coming out, and the surprise is that a few are under $20, keep your eye on my “What I’m Lining up for” at the bottom – but prices are also sneaking up because we’re inching closer and closer to Christmas.<\/p>\n

Argentina …<\/strong>
Crios 2013 Limited Edition Red Blend<\/em><\/span> ($14.95 – #366146) – 90% Tannat and 10% Syrah make a real good blend of rich, dark, brooding blue and black fruit along with smoky bacon, spice and a long finish; elegant wine for under $15.  (****+)<\/p>\n

Australia …<\/strong>
Cimicky 2012 Trumps Shiraz<\/span><\/em> ($19.95 – #027383) – chocolate, blueberry and smoky vanilla.  (*** ½)
Killibinbin 2013 Scream Shiraz<\/em><\/span> ($24.95 – #429662) – more typical but with coffee\/mocha sitting on the mid-palate; comes acrossas a very interesting wine with good intensity on the finish.  (*** ½+)
Penfolds 2012 Bin 28 Kalima Shiraz<\/em><\/span> ($34.95 – #422782) – good hit of smoked meat and spice.  (*** ½+)
Wolf Blass 2013 Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon<\/em><\/span> ($23.95 – #606939) – chocolate-cherry and spice; nicely balanced.  (*** ½+)<\/p>\n

Canada<\/strong> (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review<\/em><\/span>
2027 Cellars 2012 Queenston Road Pinot Noir<\/em><\/a> ($35.00 – #421370) – ****+
Creekside Estate 2012 Laura’s Red<\/a> ($19.95 – #117960) – **** ½
Fielding Estate 2014 Riesling<\/a> ($18.95 – #251439) – *** ½+
Flat Rock 2013 Gravity Pinot Noir<\/em><\/a> ($29.95 – #01560) – ****
Muskoka Lakes Winery 2012 Red Maple<\/em><\/a> ($24.95 – #0050039) – ****
Redstone 2011 Reserve Cabernet Franc<\/em><\/a> ($29.95 – #381244) – *** ½<\/p>\n

Chile …<\/strong>
Cono Sur 2013 Single Vineyard Block 21 Viento Mar Pinot Noir<\/span><\/em> ($18.95 – #419010) – delicate and easy drinking; shows some elegance.  (*** ½) … CHA<\/strong>
Luis Felipe Edwards 2012 LFE 900 Single Vineyard Blend<\/em><\/span> ($29.95 – #431809) – juicy with red licorice, cherry, vanilla and milk chocolate.  (*** ½+) … CHA<\/strong>
Ventisquero 2012 Grey Glacier Single Block Carmenere<\/em><\/span> ($19.95 – #325415) – black and blue fruit with plenty of spice.  (*** ½+) … CHA<\/strong><\/p>\n

France<\/strong> (Beaujolais) …<\/em><\/span>
Arnaud Aucoeur 2013 Cuvee Le Chagny Vieilles Vignes Morgon<\/em><\/span> ($18.95 – #430652) – juicy black cherry, strawberry, wood spice with a peppery finish.  (****)
France<\/strong> (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Pey La Tour 2010 Reserve du Chateau<\/em><\/span> ($19.95 – #349308) – big bold rich black cherry, cassis, mocha blackberry and some pretty hearty tannins; needs 2-3 years to mellow.  (****)
France<\/strong> (Burgundy) …<\/em><\/span>
Andre Delorme 2013 Bourgogne Pinot Noir<\/em><\/span> ($21.95 – #366427) – earthy, cranberry, sour cherry, precise and peppery.  (*** ½+)
Domaine du Meix-Foulot 2011 Les Veleys Mercurey 1er Cru<\/span> <\/em>($35.95 – #148874) – subtle juiciness with white pepper, black cherry and smoky elegance.  (****)
France<\/strong> (Loire) …<\/em><\/span>
Dauny 2014 Les Caillottes Sancerre<\/em><\/span> ($21.95 – #429340) – delicate of citrus with a little grassy element.  (*** ½)
Domaine Bellevue 2014 Touraine Sauvignon<\/span><\/em> ($14.95 – #082305) – a musky, sweaty, grapefruit number with a long, intense and weighty finish.  (****)
France<\/strong> (Rhone) …<\/em><\/span>
Domaine de Vieux Telegraphie 2013 Telegramme Chateauneuf-du-Pape<\/em><\/span> ($48.95 – #292722) – juicy cherry, gentle spice, raspberry and anise with a smooth and silky palate.  (****+)
E. Guigal 2011 Gigondas<\/em> ($36.95 – #331900) – lots of lovely rich cherry, smoky chocolate, spiced-plum, and raspberry notes here; good tannin backbone and a smoky red berry finish.  (****+)
Lavau 2012 Vacqueyras<\/em><\/span> ($24.95 – #104927) – blueberry, cherry, violets and hint of milk chocolate.  (****)<\/p>\n

Germany …<\/strong>
Dr. Loosen 2014 Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett<\/em><\/span> ($22.95 – #160846) – sweet kissed minerality with pear and delicious apple.  (*** ½+)<\/p>\n

Italy<\/strong> (Piedmont) …<\/em><\/span>
Ricossa 2014 Appassimento Barbera<\/em><\/span> ($17.95 – #430751) – smoky and juicy with anise, blackberry and bacon fat.  (*** ½+)
Italy<\/strong> (Tuscany) …<\/em><\/span>
Barone Ricasoli Brolio 2011 Chianti Classico Riserva<\/em><\/span> ($34.95 – #418822) – nicely spiced mix of red and black fruit backed by good acidity; drinks well now.  (*** ½+) … ST<\/strong>
Borgo Scopeto 2011 Borgonero<\/em><\/span> ($19.95 – #421396) – mocha, spice, blueberry-blackberry-plum, black cherry, vanilla; juicy, fleshy, cinnamon and pepper, complexity at a great price.  (****+) … ST<\/strong>
Il Grigio da San Felice 2010 Gran Selezione Chianti Classico<\/em><\/span> ($46.95 – #403477) – there’s an element of juiciness to the spice, coffee and black fruit all with a good finish.  (****) … ST<\/strong>
Poliziano 2012 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano<\/em><\/span> ($29.95 – #988055) – oaky and spicy but the dark fruit is there to back it up and so is the acidity; this is one to hold or drink over the next 5-7 years.  (****) … ST<\/strong>
Ruffino 2011 Modus<\/em><\/span> ($29.95 – #912956) – good spice and dark fruit, a real tasty wine though a tad heavy at this moment.  (*** ½+) … ST<\/strong>
Italy<\/strong> (Veneto) …<\/em><\/span>
Feudi San Pio 2013 Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore<\/em><\/span> ($17.95 – #181446) – smoky, vanilla and spice with coffee and blackberry backing.  (*** ½+)<\/p>\n

New Zealand …<\/strong>
Giesen 2013 The Brothers Sauvignon Blanc<\/em><\/span> ($19.95 – #247213) – floral laced oranges with wheat grass and lime pith.  (****)
Wild River 2013 Pinot Noir<\/em> <\/span>($20.95 – #376244) – floral, sweet cassis and anise.  (*** ½+)<\/p>\n

Portugal …<\/strong>
Jose Maria da Fonseca 2012 Domingos<\/em><\/span> ($14.95 – #426536) – good for a 15 dollar wine, dry and spicy with cassis and a 70% cocoa note.  (*** ½)
Quinta da Rede 2012 Reserva<\/span><\/em> ($17.95 – #431742) – deep, dark and fruity but it comes off lighter than expected with some spicy, minty, blackberry and plum notes.  (****)<\/p>\n

Spain …<\/strong>
Baron de Ley 2010 Reserva<\/span><\/em> ($19.95 – #958868) – lots of spices interact with smoky-dark fruit, there’s even some vanilla-minerality in here.  (****)
Miros de Ribera 2009 Crianza<\/span><\/em> ($21.95 – #431676) – seductive dark fruit, pencil shavings, cinnamon, plum and wood smoke.  (****)
Ontanon 2011 Crianza Tempranillo \/ Garnacha<\/em><\/span> ($16.95 – #976910) – a modern Rioja with lots of dark fruit and smoked meat.  (*** ½+)<\/p>\n

United States<\/strong> (California) …<\/em><\/span>
Rodney Strong 2013 Chalk Hill Chardonnay<\/em><\/span> ($24.95 – #275552) – layers of vanilla and butterscotch with caramel apple and pear with a nice finish.  (*** ½+)
Saved 2012 Red<\/em><\/span> ($29.95 – #417378) – A wacko blend with a whack of flavour and easy drinkability; fruit, acid and just the right amount of spice. Fun.  (****)
Scott Family 2013 Pinot Noir<\/span> <\/em>($29.95 – #317784) – lots of juicy black cherry and vanilla, silky palate, good acidity and spicy finish.   (*** ½+)
Simi 2012 Merlot<\/span><\/em> ($22.95 – #417386) – chocolate covered blueberries, juicy and tasty.  (*** ½+)
United States<\/strong> (Oregon) …<\/em><\/span>
Adelsheim 2013 Pinot Gris<\/em><\/span> ($27.95 – #27524) – yellow plum and pear with a touch of minerality.  (*** ½+)
Underwood 2014 Oregon Grown Pinot Noir<\/em><\/span> ($21.95 – #421198) – more California juicy than Oregon balance, but it’s still tasty.  (*** ½)
United States<\/strong> (Washington) …<\/em><\/span>
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon<\/em><\/span> ($26.95 – #055764) – blueberry, vanilla, smooth palate with hints of chocolate-cherry on the finish.  (****)
________________________________________<\/p>\n

In-Store Discoveries:  wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …<\/strong>
Sandhill 2012 Phantom Creek Vineyard Syrah<\/em><\/span> ($44.95 – #423475) – British Columbia … ****+
Dunn 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon<\/span><\/em> ($113.95 – #709501) – California … *** ½+
Paraduxx 2011 Proprietary Red Wine<\/em><\/span> ($54.95 – #919662) – California … *** ½+  <\/p>\n

If You Can Afford It:  wines worth their high price …<\/strong><\/p>\n

Antinori 2010 Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino<\/em><\/span> ($69.95 – #651141) – Italy … ****+ (ST<\/strong>)
Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut Champagne<\/em><\/span> ($79.95 – #384529) – see video for full review<\/a>
Cliff Lede 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon<\/em><\/span> ($112.95 – #014217) – California … ****
Dutton Estate 2011 Karmen Isabella Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir<\/span><\/em> ($57.95 – #414821) – California … *** ½
Fontanafredda 2008 La Rosa Barolo<\/em><\/span> ($64.95 – #040105) – Italy … ****
Tenuta Sette Ponti 2012 Oreno<\/em><\/span> ($77.95 – #735597) – Italy … **** – (ST<\/strong>)
Two Hands 2013 Lily’s Garden Shiraz<\/em><\/span> ($54.95 – #683086) – Australia … ****+<\/p>\n

What I’ll Be Lining Up For:  October 31, 2015 …<\/strong>
Arnaud Aucoeur 2013 Cuvee Le Chagny Vieilles Vignes Morgon<\/span><\/em> ($18.95 – #430652) – France
Borgo Scopeto 2011 Borgonero<\/em><\/span> ($19.95 – #421396) – Italy
Chateau Pey La Tour 2010 Reserve du Chateau<\/span><\/em> ($19.95 – #349308) –
Crios 2013 Limited Edition Red Blend<\/em><\/span> ($14.95 – #366146) – Argentina
Domaine Bellevue 2014 Touraine Sauvignon<\/em><\/span> ($14.95 – #082305) – France
Quinta da Rede 2012 Reserva<\/em><\/span> ($17.95 – #431742) – Portugal<\/p>\n

Happy Shopping<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Key to the 5-star rating system:5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good Wine colour indicators – Red, Whites, etc. The Foci … Super Tuscany (ST) and Chilean High Achievers (CHA)The Skinny … There are some really good wines coming out, and the surprise is that a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vintages-releases"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2519"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7494,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519\/revisions\/7494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}